What To Expect From Tiger

Will Tiger Choke At The Masters?

Needless to say, the entire world will be watching when Tiger Woods tees it up at Augusta National next Thursday. Here are three possible scenarios and the impact each may have on Woods, the television ratings and the game of golf.

Tiger Woods misses the cut

Despite being the best golfer on the face of the planet, Woods could miss the cut at Augusta. In his 13 years as a professional golfer, Woods has only missed the cut at two major championships, one of which came after a two-month layoff following the death of his father back in 2006.

At the 2006 U.S. Open, Woods’ emotions visibly distracted him from the task at hand. He missed the cut and left Winged Foot looking dejected and altogether disinterested in the game of golf.

Impact: Considering that television ratings typically double when Woods is in contention, CBS will suffer the most if Woods were to miss the cut next week at the Masters.

A missed cut would also call into question Woods’ future in the game — will he have lost that mental edge that has been a central factor in his ability to dominate the game for the past 13 years?

Tiger Woods contends

If Woods were to contend at next week’s Masters and not slip into a green jacket on Sunday evening, it would also call into question whether or not he is, or will ever be, the same player.

Impact: This would mark the fourth time in the last five majors that Woods has had a shot at winning, but didn’t close the deal. While this might not impact the view of Woods as the best golfer of his generation, it may jump-start the discussion about where he belongs on the list of the all-time greats.

Woods would probably receive less scrutiny if he were to miss the cut completely than if he were in contention on Sunday and did not close the deal. A missed cut could be explained away with the justification of being unprepared. But being in contention and not winning could indicate a deeper problem with Woods’ confidence down the stretch at the majors.